If you've booked on one of our 2025 Guided Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge events, or are planning to join us, we hope that you're feeling excited to tackle this iconic hiking adventure.
Of course, nerves are normal, so feel free to get in touch with a member of the team to ask questions.
We also thought a guide to what to expect on the day, and how to prepare would be a good idea. So, read on and we'll look forward to seeing you bright and early on your challenge day.
Your challenge day will look like this:
*We are starting with Pen Y Ghent, This is the traditional route.
*Meet early at the Golden Lion pub in Horton-in-Ribblesdale. There’s an honesty box and plenty of off-road parking.
*The support car will have extra water and you will see them at approximately 10 and 18 miles. They will be there should you need shuttling back to Horton.
*Pen-Y-Ghent – a flat start through the village and onto a shady path, a steep ascent through fields, slightly less steep stone flagged paths, onto the Pennine Way (often very windy here) and then steeply up the nose of the mountain with two separate scrambles up rocks and lastly a very steady ascent onto the summit plateau.
*Steady descent down a wide, stone path that leads to rugged fields and moorland.
*Long walk to Ribblehead viaduct which you will eventually see in the distance. Initially hilly and then gently undulating grassy paths and fields, stone paths and farms.
*Support and/or rest stop just before Ribblehead viaduct in an off road layby.
*Whernside - a fairly flat start and then a long, steady ascent along rocky and stone slab paths to the shoulder of the mountain and the flat summit plateau NB It's often very windy here.
*Steep descent back down a rocky path to flat farmland. Poles may be useful here.
*Support stop on the road near the farm shop (it will hopefully be open and provides a loo, ice cream, sausage rolls, hot drinks and pop) – refill hydration, take on more snacks, sort your feet and adjust layers. If it is not open there is a vendor machine for hot cold/drinks which take contactless payment too.
*Ingleborough – a flat start across farmland and past interesting geological features, an initially steady ascent across wooden platforms that cross boggy ground, a steeper ascent up a stone flagged path and then a steep scramble up a rocky path on the side of the mountain. The last push on Ingleborough is a rocky path up onto the flat summit plateau.
*Long walk into Horton-in-Ribblesdale village. It’s a steady descent on a rock strewn path that will pass limestone pavements and end on farmland.
Preparation and kit
*Make sure you have everything on the kit list and plan what you will carry. Kit will be checked by the YTO team before we set off. Remember, you can fill up with water at support stops.
*Wear comfortable hiking boots or trail trainers. Grip, support and comfort are important.
*If you are prone to blisters, pop some Compeed on your problem areas – if you get ‘hotspots’ on your feet on the challenge day, put blister plasters on immediately! It will only take a moment and will save your feet.
*Bring walking poles. They reduce impact on your knees by 40%, give you confidence on descents and provide support and rhythm on flatter ground.
*You MUST hydrate, especially if it is a warm day. Bring a water bladder or large flask and then keep extra water in the support car. Electrolytes are useful if it's hot, but try them out before the day to make sure they agree with you.
*Wild wees! There are loos at the bottom of Whernside and in Horton village but read our blog on wild weeing for tips. Take tissues, hand sanitiser and poo bags to keep used tissues in. (Leave no trace is so important!)
*Fuel is vital! Take high energy snacks that are easy to munch on the move. Don't bring anything you've not tested out before, like energy gels, make sure what you eat on the day agrees with your body. Try not to rely on white sugar all day as you'll feel rubbish. Bring jelly babies, they're ace! But bring a banana, some nuts and something like a peanut butter bagel too.
Training
*Try and experience a walk on at least one of the mountains you will be tackling on the day. It’s a good way to test your mountain fitness and discover how you feel about steep ground. There is very little exposure on the Y3P but there are steep sections. (We have events on both Pen-Y-Ghent and Ingleborough available – they aren’t exactly like the Y3P route but will give you a good idea.
*The Y3P is a long day – the traditional time for people to aim for is 12 hours. Train by spending lots of time walking, treat your dogs to longer walks and maybe book a full weekend of walking to build endurance.
*The Y3P has lots of ascent and descent – book some YTO hill walks, find a hill near your home to walk up and down while listening to an audio book or simply train by walking up and down the stairs in your home.
*If you train in a gym, the step machine, weighted squats, lunges and deadlifts are all great ways to build your leg strength.
Yorkie Talkies Outdoors also offers private events on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks for work places, charities, team building or simply a group of friends.
Prices will vary depending on how many people are walking. Enquire by email.
When booking a private event you will be welcomed by the amazing YTO team and will have the same set up as described above.
From the moment you book your private event you will recieve comprehensive support.
*A Teams or Zoom call with the YTO team on which we will brief all the participants. You will also receive tips on training/nutrition and have the opportunity to ask questions.
*A WhatsApp group chat dedicated to your event where all infomation prior to your event will be sent.
*If you are doing the Y3P for a charity, YTO will also share your fundraising link and wear your charity colours on the day.
Same advice for the night version of the challenge?